Office Of University Counsel

The Office of University Counsel provides comprehensive legal advice and counsel to East Carolina University. It provides those services regarding University matters to the Chancellor, the Board of Trustees of East Carolina University, the principal administrators of the University, and through them, to faculty, staff, and students of East Carolina University.

The Office of University Counsel provides advice concerning the legal implications of proposed policies and actions, counsels the University as to compliance with State and federal laws (including EEO matters, the ADA, Campus Security Act, etc.) and administrative regulations, drafts and/or reviews University contracts, and advises and coordinates a wide variety of legal matters to include employment, health care, real, personal, and intellectual property interests.

The attorneys in the Office of University Counsel serve as advisors to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees on legal matters involving the University. They do not advise administrators, faculty, staff, or students on any personal matters. Questions about the scope of legal representation should be directed to Donna Gooden Payne, University Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs. She can be reached at 252.328.6940 or at her email address: payned@ecu.edu. For personal legal advice, employees should consult with a private attorney. Students seeking legal advice should contact the Student Government Association at (252) 328-4726, Student Legal Services at (252) 737-1067, or a private attorney.

Please Note: The material on these pages is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for legal advice. Please speak with a University Attorney for specific legal advice.